"Los Hermanos" is often considered a protest song. Some claim it criticizes the dictatorship of the Latin American countries, done to secure the fidelity of the region to the United States and, by doing that, avoiding leftist governments. The lyrics are an ode to fraternity and freedom with an implicit urge for Latin American union:
"Yo tengo tantos hermanos Que no los puedo contar Y una novia muy hermosa... Que se llama Libertad".
"I have so many brothers That I can't even count them And a beautiful bride... That is called Liberty".
Though some[who?] take it as political, others[who?] contend that it has a broader universal appeal, with its verses about the common Argentine man, recognizing the others by the look in their eyes and realizing the difficulties they face in everyday life.
Probably the best known cover version is that of Mercedes Sosa. She covered the song on her 1972 album Hasta la Victoria and again on her 1977 album Mercedes Sosa Interpreta a Atahualpa Yupanqui, her version changes the word "novia" (bride, fiancée) for "hermana" (sister), so she sings "...and (I have) a very beautiful sister whose name is Freedom".
